Earlier this month, I had the pleasure of hosting the Fourth Annual Style Week Orange County. It was spread out over two weeks of FAB events, including Runway Fashion Shows, In-store Designer Presentations and Appearances, and much much more!
I had an absolute BLAST hosting both the Opening Night Rack Rave Runway Shows and Party as well as the Runway Glam Slam Finale Shows at the amazing and just-so-gorgeous Irvine Spectrum. The Finale show, included THREE runway shows featuring the best in OC Surf and Sport Fashion, the latest styles and trends from Irvine Spectrum stores, as well as the much-anticipated "Cadillac: Contemporary Design" 2011 Competition, featuring designs inspired by Cadillac vehicles created by FIDM grads. Orange County COAST Magazine's website has a great video Recap of Style Week OC 2011's Runway Glam Slam night---Check it out:

Surf and Sport Fashionistas, Fall 2011 Irvine Spectrum Fab and Cadillac DIVAS...
This past Friday evening, I hosted the Finale of Style Week Orange County 2011 at the Irvine Spectrum Center in yes, the city of Irvine. It was the fourth annual Style Week OC and my third time being part of this Southern California fashion event. Last year, as you also may know, my NIKOLAKI design partner and I showed our NIKOLAKI Spring 2011 Collection there and it was FABULOUS! The night was entitled "Runway Glam Slam" and it featured THREE runway fashion shows including the OC Surf Sport Showcase, The Spectrum Collection featuring Fall 2011 Trends from the top Irvine Spectrum stores, and finally, the 2nd Annual Cadillac: Contemporary Design Competition. So let's Recap: Runway Glam Slam was set to begin at 7pm and all the hundreds of seats were set out with FAB Style Week OC 2011 Goodie Bags (above) --in a sectioned-off area at the foot of the AMAZING Irvine Spectrum "Giant Wheel". First up was the OC Surf Sport Showcase, presenting all the surf-and-active wear fashion that put Orange County on the "International Fashion Map". Models strutted the latest from brands and stores like Vans, Macy's, Target, Old Navy, SALVATION, Tilly's, among others:
Next up was "The Spectrum Collection": This section of the runway shows focused on the latest Fall 2011 styles and trends from the top Irvine Spectrum Center stores. The fashions ranged from high-end denim, sweater layering, glittery cocktail dresses and some Retro-inspired ensembles from stores like Lucky, Max Studio, Macy's, Kaitlyn, Buckle, Windsor, Forever 21 and Nordstrom.
Then it was the much-anticipated Cadillac: Contemporary Design Runway Show and Competition. But first, I noticed a crowned beauty in the audience--front row, of course. It happened to be the reigning Ms. America 2011 (not to be confused with Miss America), Tracy Broughton. After announcing her presence to the Style Week OC audience, she even let me put on her $35,000 diamond-and-ruby crown!!!
Four graduates from the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM designed, created and showed their runway interpretations of Cadillac luxury vehicles using actual CAR PARTS! The designs were to be directional and CONTEMPORARY, as the Contest Title suggested. In other words--no "KRAZEE Is-That-a-TWENTY-Foot-Train? Couture" here darlings. The designs would be judged by Gary White of Tustin Cadillac and his stunning and very stylish wife Carol White, Leijla Hasanagic, Irvine Spectrum Center Nordstrom General Manager, and yours truly...yes, ME!!! The prizes: $500 for the Cadillac Facebook Page Fan Favorite and $2,000 for the First Place Winner. Both prizes coming from Tustin Cadillac (LOVE THEM!) The Cadillac Designs: Airi Isoda: Airi's outfit consisted of a cropped jacket and a skort (skirt with shorts underneath). It was elegant and chic and inspired by the Cadillac SRX. The jacket had sleeve embellishments that were actual car brake lights and the shoes: yep, those are seat belts. Alexandra Paulus: Inspired by the Cadillac CTS V Coupe, Alexandra's "Hot Girl On a Night Out" look included silver skinny pants, a very NOW black shoulder-padded jacket, iridescent organza gold-colored shirt and black bustier. The belt buckle had the iconic Cadillac emblem and she also used industrial material for the clutch and those jacket shoulder details. Ethan Bartlett: His design--which was inspired by the Cadillac CTSV Sedan--was sporty and sexy to say the least. Ethan made a loose tank and then printed the Cadillac logo on it. He added a teeny-tiny menswear-inspired vest and a sexy silver mini. In case you're wondering, the skirt: completely made out of Cadillac Car Seat Belts. Herve Leger by Max Azria better watch out! Or at the very least, hire him! Kristine Flanigan: Last but not least, Kristine designed an ensemble which was inspired by the Cadillac Hybrid Escalade. It consisted of a t-shirt with the Cadillac emblem/flag colors (which she engineered into the top via multiple pattern pieces), a mesh-and-rubber bolero jacket with metal "piping/binding", and the BEST fitting pants I have seen in a LONG TIME! The waistband and pocket flaps were made from car material and the necklace used the Cadillac Escalade HYBRID emblem. The Winners Were (Drum Roll!):
Ethan Bartlett (left) took the "Cadillac Facebook Page Fan Favorite" prize of a $500 Check from Tustin Cadillac with his seat belt mini-and-Cadillac printed tank look and the First Place Winner of $2,000 (The judges' No. 1) was Kristine Flanigan (right) and her black pant, Cadillac T-shirt and cropped mesh-and-rubber jacket ensemble. Both were ECSTATIC for winning...and VERY SURPRISED! I was very happy--not only as a Judge, but as an Alumnus of FIDM. So PROUD of them; as they say (OK, as I say): They DONE DID well! It made for the perfect ending to another fashionable and very successful Style Week Orange County!

Style Week Orange County 2011 Begins With "Rack Rave" Party This Friday NIGHT!!!
Southern California Fashionistas: Get Ready for Style Week Orange County®! Since 2008, Style Week OC and the Irvine Spectrum Center® have been showcasing and celebrating the Best in Southern California Fashion and has quickly become a Style Destination in everyone's Fashion Calendars. This year, Style Week Orange County®, ups the ante as Fashion Island® joins Irvine Spectrum Center® to present the definitive style experience with designer runway shows, a fashion carnival, sneak peeks, celebrity guests, restaurant debuts and a line-up of must see in-store events. Click HERE for all the events occurring at Fashion Island, including several by Nordstrom, a David Meister Fashion Show at Bloomindale's, Rachel Roy Fashion Show at Neiman Marcus, and many more.
I have hosted Style Week OC two years in a row and last year, I had the extreme pleasure of also debuting my NIKOLAKI Couture Spring 2011 Collection--along with my Co-Designer David Paul--at Style Week Orange County. It was such a success that I've had dresses worn by Beyonce AND Katy Perry--from that very same collection. This year, I am excited to be hosting two fabulous nights of events as part of Style Week Orange County®: Friday Sept. 30th, 7pm, Rack Rave: *Rack Rave, the popular fashion carnival makes its second Style Week OC appearance with trend presentations, informal modeling, entertainment and fun activities in Giant Wheel Court from 7pm to 9pm. *Retailer tents include: Active Ride Shop - prize wheel--- Forever 21 - customer styling--- H&M - henna ring and bracelet tattoos--- Kaitlyn - eye makeovers--- Macy's - brow bar mapping with Benefit and fashion tarot card reading--- MaxStudio - lip makeovers with Planet Beauty--- Nordstrom - Havaianas Bedazzling, TOMS Personalization--- Salvation - screen printing--- Target - prize wheel. **Admittance is free on a first-come, first served basis.
the second event I will be hosting is: Friday, Oct. 7th, 7pm, Runway Glam Slam: Runway Glam Slam: Style Week OC staged events come to a close at Irvine Spectrum Center with a glam slam of three shows demonstrating different faces of design and Orange County style. *OC Surf Sport Showcase - a runway presentation shining the spotlight on the premier surf and action sport brands originating from OC. *Cadillac: Contemporary Design - a Style Week OC favorite featuring contemporary looks inspired by the Cadillac SRX, CTS V Coupe, CTS Sedan and Escalade Hybrid as interpreted by FIDM graduate designers. *Spectrum Collection - the catwalk finale presenting fall must have fashions from the center's department stores and specialty boutiques. Click HERE for a Calendar of Events and see you THIS FRIDAY NIGHT at the Irvine Spectrum for Style Week OC 2011 Opening Night Party "Rack Rave"!! Click below for a video of Style Week OC 2010 including our NIKOLAKI Show: